title: [Inappropriate prescribing of drugs in older people attending primary care health centres: detection using STOPP-START criteria].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and characteristics of inappropriate prescribing of drugs (IP) in patients >65 years-old evaluated by a primary care team (PCT), using the STOPP-START criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional sample of patients older than 65 years-old with active clinical history in 2010, and who were attended in 13 urban clinics (systematic random sampling, expected IP prevalence of 40%, precision: 5% confidence level: 95%). Requirement was reviewed clinical histories in 2010, using the STOPP-START criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 363 patients were selected (56.7% women), mean age 75.2 years (SD: 7.02). The most frequent diseases were cardiovascular (76.9%) and osteoarticular (57.6%) diseases, and the average number of prescription drugs was 4.9 (SD: 3.32). IP was detected in 170 patients (46.8%; 95% CI: 41.7-52.0%), 42% in men (95% CI: 34.3-49.8%) and 46.6% in women (95% CI: 39.8-53.4%), with no differences between sexes (P=.386), with a higher prevalence if polypharmacy or comorbidity were present (P<.001). The STOPP criteria were met in 131 patients (36.1%; 95% CI: 31.1-41.0%), and START criteria in 73 (20.1%; 95% CI: 16-24.2%), with no difference between sexes (P=.623 for STOPP, and P=.678 for START). The most frequent STOPP criteria were observed in the musculoskeletal system (50 patients, 38.2%; 95% CI: 29.8-46.5%) and START endocrinology indicators (38 patients, 52.1%; 95% CI: 40.0-63.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The STOPP-START tool detected and systematised IP in a high percentage of elderly patients treated by a PCT, and can promote improvement in prescribing strategies.
authors.affiliation: EAP Santa Eulalia Sud, Institut Català de la Salut, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hernández Perella
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mas Garriga
authors.forename: Dolors
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Riera Cervera
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Quintanilla Castillo
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gardini Campomanes
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torrabadella Fàbregas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care
keywords: Atención Primaria; Drug prescription; Inappropriate prescriptions; Older adults; Personas mayores; Prescripción de fármacos; Prescripción inapropiada; Primary care